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Records show concern over Iowa Capitol tunnels

by KIX101.1 /1230 KFJB News Departmentposted Aug 5 2014 10:15AM

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A 2008 study calls for improvements to tunnels connecting the state Capitol to nearby buildings and notes potential hazards from compressed steam that travels near areas with pedestrian access.

The newly released records show some have called for closing the tunnels to pedestrians but they remain open.

The independent study by architectural firm Shive-Hattery warned about "many conditions that threaten public safety" in the more than 4,500 feet of tunnels. It outlined several fixes.

About $1 million in improvements to the tunnels have been made since the study was released. State officials requested more money in 2013 for additional improvements, but the Legislature did not approve it.